Zelensky Calls on Partners to Act Beyond Words as Russia Strikes a School in Sumy During Classes, Killing 2

In a sweeping barrage that began in the early hours of Tuesday, Russian forces attacked at least nine regions of Ukraine, deliberately targeting civilian structures. In central Sumy, four guided aerial bombs (KABs) were launched, hitting a residential area and striking a school building while classes were ongoing.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Two people were killed and six people wounded, including three children, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement, noting that emergency services were still working at the site. “Thanks to the teachers and school administration, the children and staff were in the shelter; in total, 100 people were evacuated in time,” he said, condemning the strikes and crediting school employees for preventing a higher toll. At the time of the report, it was unclear whether the fatalities occurred at the school or in the damaged residential area. The attack came less than a month after Ukraine reopened at least 25,000 schools on Sept. 1 under new wartime safety rules, in a bid to return children to in-person classes and preserve some sense of normal childhood. Callin for action beyond words Zelensky used the statement to press Ukraine’s Western allies for a firmer response to Russian strikes on civilian areas and infrastructure. The attacks have significantly increased following the departure of the senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner from Kyiv on Sept. 6, after a diplomatic effort that appeared to gain momentum but ultimately produced no tangible breakthrough. Other Topics of Interest NATO Urges Calm, Says Russian Hybrid Campaign Not Stopping Ukraine Support European governments say Moscow is stepping up a campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine’s backers as the Kremlin’s troops struggle on the front line. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly noted that Russia tends to intensify its strikes whenever diplomatic efforts are revived. “America, Europe, and all our partners must not forget that Russia will not stop this madness without real pressure,” Zelensky said. “We expect that the response steps to these strikes will come and will not be limited to words only,” he continued. Zelensky has consistently called on partners to sustain diplomatic momentum, support EU sanctions targeting Russian oil as well as Russian entities and individuals, and help Ukraine obtain the Patriot interceptors it critically needs to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. In a statement on Sunday, Sept. 27, he said Russia launched more than 2,200 drones, about 1,650 guided aerial bombs (KABs) and at least 38 missiles at Ukraine last week. During the same remarks, he urged China, India, Brazil, South Africa and other Group of 20 (G20) countries to use their influence over Moscow to help end Russia’s aggression. His appeal came as 51 countries issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine and calling on Russia to end the aggression by agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire. However, the Kremlin has so far rejected every proposal for a direct meeting, leaving it unclear when Moscow might be ready to come to the negotiating table or when the war could end, with intelligence assessments suggesting Russia has very little interest in ending it. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.